I read this today with interest.
I was fascinated at how unsettled I felt as I read it and many hours later.
I found myself thinking less about myself and more, wondering if we might be able to read a piece like this and let it be.
Let it be what it is for each person.
Can we read it and know that it does not say sports are not important, but I do read that many other things are equally important.
Can we recognize and name that many of those other losses are not getting the attention time and fight that sports have benefited from during this COVID 19 season?
Can we read it and feel empathy, ache, anger, and compassion for all the losses impacting so many today?
Can we name that our society does value some things over others?
Can we teach our students to be aware of those who continue to wait for their activity to resume?
Can we read it, recognize what it is saying, and still hold respect and kindness for one another?
Can we?
I hope so!
Written by a high school coach:
“While you’re cheering for winter sports and the “let them play” movement, I think it’s important to remember this:
Every Single Child has lost something this last year. The high schooler who lives and breathes musicals hasn’t seen a stage in over a year with no hope in sight. The 3rd grader who learned the xylophone for a concert last year yearns for a chance to play for their parents with no hope in sight. The robot made by the team sits in a room desperately wanting competition with other teams in a gym. The vocalist that was awarded a solo wants to perform for a crowd. The forensics and quiz bowl teams yearn for a room full of spectators to watch them excel. And on and on…
So while you’re cheering for athletes and yelling at governors and sports authorities, remember the other people who still have losses.
Remember the students that don’t have a movement or lawsuits to give them what they want. I hear buzz words like “mental health” regarding student-athletes, but I don’t hear those words for the rest.
Let’s all stick together and build better adults by teaching these kids that they are not entitled to their sport, but that EVERY student, adult and member of society has had losses; it’s not just about those kids who play a sport but about the entire population.”